The 21st edition of Rwanda’s annual Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony was held on September 4, 2026, in Kinigi, Musanze District, where 22 baby mountain gorillas were given names in a celebration that brought together government officials, conservationists, international guests, artists and members of the local community.

The ceremony once again highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to protecting mountain gorillas and conserving biodiversity. Since Kwita Izina became an annual event in 2005, a total of 438 gorillas have now been named.

A major highlight was the participation of gospel artist Israel Mbonyi, who was among those selected to name a baby gorilla. He named a gorilla from the Izuba family “Impeta.” His participation added a special moment to the ceremony, bringing together Rwanda’s conservation efforts and the influence of one of the country’s most popular gospel musicians.

Other prominent guests also gave meaningful names to the young gorillas. Shaikha Al Nuwais named Ishakwe, Dominic Barton named Umukondo, Paul Danforth named Shikama, Miguel Angel Gil Marin named Inkera, Ahmed Sadek Elsewedy named Rugamba, while Olivier and Quitterie Granet named Umucyo.

Garreth and Nicola Wood named Ngabonzima, James Chester named Ndongozi, Jeannette Uwimbabazi named Ndahiro, Francesco Calvo named Ngoga, David Lappartient named Muhuza, and Dominique Laura Plewes named Komezutsinde.

Other names given during the ceremony included Ntwarane, named by Mamadou Sakho; Tarama, named by Mutaz Barshim; Mpinga, named by Alastair Fothergill; Igeno, named by Kelly O’Meara; Ruhembe, named by Neil and Susan McDougall; Muganura, named by Patrice Evra; and Nkwakuzi, named by Ameloot Kenza Johanna.

The ceremony also carried an important message about the connection between conservation, tourism and community development. Rwanda shares 10% of tourism revenues from national parks with communities living around protected areas, with more than Frw23 billion already invested in about 1,300 community projects, including schools, health centres, water infrastructure and livelihood programmes.

Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva said the names given to the gorillas reflect Rwanda’s commitment to ensuring that they are protected and able to grow in a safe environment. RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean Guy Afrika also stressed that protecting the gorillas means protecting Rwanda’s natural heritage while ensuring that communities around the park continue to benefit from conservation.

For Israel Mbonyi, whose music has gained a large following in Rwanda and beyond, being among those entrusted with naming a baby gorilla made the 21st Kwita Izina ceremony an even more memorable occasion. His choice of the name Impeta became one of the notable moments of this year’s celebration.

Twenty guests, including Israel Mbonyi, Patrice Evra, Mutaz Barshim and others, named 20 baby mountain gorillas from different families, including **Impeta**, named by Israel Mbonyi from the Izuba family